Many families whom the St Vincent de Paul in Kerry helped out in 2025, were in households where two people were working, but were still unable to pay the bills.
That's according to Tralee Area President Sinead Donnelly, who says it's been another extremely busy year for the society in Kerry.
Figures show that calls for help were up by 25 percent in 2025, but this is understand to be a modest estimate.
The Tralee Area of the society - which takes in Castleisland, Dingle, and a large part of North Kerry - experienced no lull period at all during 2025, with a steady stream of calls throughout the year.
Among those seeking help were growing numbers of working families, struggling to pay for essentials such as electricity, fuel and food.
Ms Donnelly says that when volunteers examined the household budgets of these people, they concluded that many would've been better off not working:
In total, €364,000 was spent in the Tralee area during the year on direct assistance – given to families and individuals to meet the costs of food, fuel and education.
Ms Donnelly says there's no indication that the calls for help will fall back in 2026.
The St Vincent de Paul Tralee branch can be contacted on (066) 71 28021.
